Legal-aid group goes to court to prevent eviction of homeless people under Ville-Marie expressway
A legal team is attempting a last-ditch effort to delay the eviction of a group of people living in tents under the Ville-Marie expressway, but Quebec's transport ministry said it can't wait any longer.
Advocates for the homeless say for years the most destitute among the roughly 3,000 people without a home have called the Ville-Marie expressway their home.
But with the spring thaw and imminent repairs from Quebec's Ministry of Transport (MTQ), they were given until last week to leave their improvised campground. Now, a legal-aid group specializing in helping the homeless has taken up their case.
"We're trying to avoid the MTQ to the dismantle the encampment, so we're trying to get an order from the Quebec Superior Court," said Éric Préfontaine, a member of the Mobile Legal Clinic.
Homeless shelters are full, he argued, and don't have room for this specific clientele. Some have addiction and mental health issues, one has a cancer, and another is pregnant.
Some are living as couples, while others won't let go of their pets to go to a shelter.
The tent occupants are arguing that the transport ministry promised them a solution last week so they would have somewhere to go after the eviction. But that hasn't happened.
"There was no solution that was proposed and there was no final agreement and that's why we're before the court today to argue on our request for an injunction," Préfontaine said.
The Ministry of Transport is arguing that this isn't its responsibility and that the city and the province are responsible for providing resources to the homeless.
The ministry's lawyer argued that important repair work is needed, adding that the small community was tolerated for years, yet never had the right to live there in the first place.
Lawyers for the homeless are asking for a 10-day reprieve to at least give the men and women living there the chance to find alternative housing once the cold months are over.
A decision from Quebec Court Justice Chantale Massé is expected in the coming days.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Hackers release corporate data stolen from London Drugs
Retailer London Drugs says cybercriminals who stole files from its corporate head office last month have released some of the data after it refused to pay a ransom.
Toronto man falls off his chair after seeing $70M Lotto Max win in his bank account
A Toronto man who won $70 million in a recent Lotto Max draw literally fell off his chair when he saw the funds in his bank account.
Montreal-area high school students protest 'sexist' dress code
Approximately 50 Montreal-area students — the vast majority of them female — were suspended Wednesday after their school deemed the shorts they were wearing were too short. On Thursday, several students staged a walk-out to protest what they believe is a "sexist" dress code that unfairly targets girls.
Oilers' Henrique, Stars' Hintz out for Game 1 of West final
Top-line Dallas Stars centre Roope Hintz will still be out of the lineup for the Western Conference Final opener Thursday night against Edmonton, which is still without forward Adam Henrique.
'Looking over our shoulders': A killing looms large in a little B.C. town
Something shifted in the pretty little village of Lumby, B.C., after Tatjana Stefanski vanished. It used to be the sort of place where parents let their kids roam free or play in the local creek, but everything has changed.
What is 'slapped cheek disease' and should parents be concerned?
Despite its rough name, experts say most cases of 'slapped cheek disease' are mild and not a cause for concern.
American Airlines retreats after blaming a 9-year-old for not seeing a hidden camera in a lavatory
American Airlines has distanced itself from a court filing in which the carrier said a nine-year-old girl should have noticed there was a camera taped to the seat of an airplane lavatory.
Unknown Newfoundland soldier from the First World War heads back home from France after 100 years
Canadian soldiers and government officials arrived in northeastern France this week for a historic mission: returning an unknown Newfoundland soldier back home.
Calgary Philharmonic takes action following investigation into 'deeply troubling' comments by 2 musicians
The Calgary Philharmonic has confirmed its taking action after controversial online comments made by two members of the orchestra.